Helen Brasinika-Bojo Multi-Function Modular Furniture

At Design Interviews

Interview with Helen Brasinika : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Helen Brasinika : The inspiration came out of a plastic toy from my youth. The basic idea was to let simplicity and low cost, provide a design of ultimate versatility, modularity and flexibility in applications and compositions. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Helen Brasinika : We wanted to keep it simple, easy to assemple and allow it to change according to future needs and desires at a minimal cost, time and effort. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Helen Brasinika : Our first priority is to see it realized, in cooperation with a manufacturing company abroad, and then start promoting it in order for our design to find a niche in home or office interiors. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Helen Brasinika : It took about one month from September to October 2011. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Helen Brasinika : We wanted to pursuit our first inspiration, and then we realized that it would be ideal as an entry for A&#039; design Award contest. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Helen Brasinika : It is still a concept design, not in production. We might sell the production rights, or agree its manufacturing and promotion on royalty basis. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Helen Brasinika : A fascination that started about one and a half year ago to design works that adapt to time, mood and need changes. Even multiple uses or different applications of the same design. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Helen Brasinika : There might have been, but i cannot recall a name at the moment. Information technology and social networks certainly have a strong influence on design aspects and attitudes. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Helen Brasinika : I can see a very wide target group. I think this design has no age, culture, or border limitations. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Helen Brasinika : I have been contacting market search for private and commercial projects for many years. I don&#039;t think there is something similar.Do you? .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Helen Brasinika : Bojo, is a funny word in Greece we used this expression as kids to describe somebody that makes you laugh, like a clown.I think the design is very cheerful and colorful, and if something makes your life easier it can certainly add some joy and happiness. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Helen Brasinika : 3D Cad Pytha, modeler and renderer, photoshop, my pantone color sets and thick model paper to check out dimensions and compositions. Then some tests were run with plywood boards cut with CNC machinery for scale models. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Helen Brasinika : While it starts from a simple square module, it is so versatile that develops like a living organism and expands in space. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Helen Brasinika : The design was developed by BllendDesignTeam members (me and Anastasia Rokkou), previous experience in design, material research and manufacturing know-how enabled its realization. Our engineers gave their feedback for various manufacturing and stability issues. We consulted of course manufacturers working with the materials, since it is a common practice for our office to consult experienced manufacturers and their feedback is always an invaluable asset. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Helen Brasinika : We tried to keep it as simple and common in every place as possible. Sustainability approaches, low transportation and manufacturing cost were prerequisite in order to allow for our design to be mass produced and reach every corner of the continent. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Helen Brasinika : Research in modular furniture that are available in the market has been contacted. Of course, previous market search conducted for customer projects has resulted in a very rich database of products, materials, designs and designers that we consult every time we need some relevant info. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Helen Brasinika : Keeping it simple. It is always very tempting to design something with a view to impressing. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Helen Brasinika : It is the only opportunity to address a wider community of manufacturers and promotion comes easier. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Helen Brasinika : &quot;Less is more&quot;, and this design can prove it. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Helen Brasinika : We hope that this design will be loved as much as we do. In case this happens, A&#039; design award will have played the most important role. Even if not, we are still grateful and we thank you for this award. It certainly gives us the strength to try harder. .